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Accelerating Word Learning in Children With Language Impairment

Interactive Book Reading to Accelerate Word Learning by Children With SLI

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01829360
Enrollment
35
Registered
2013-04-11
Start date
2013-03-31
Completion date
2018-08-31
Last updated
2019-11-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Specific Language Impairment

Brief summary

This research attempts to adapt and optimize a word learning treatment, specifically interactive book reading, for use with Kindergarten children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI). Children with SLI have difficulty learning language without any obvious cause for this difficulty. This study will examine the best way to achieve the appropriate intensity of 36 exposures. For example, is it better to hear the new words many times within the book (high dose) and to read the book few times (low dose frequency), or is it better to hear the new words a few times within the book (low dose) and to read the book many times (high dose frequency). The investigators hypothesize that reading the books many times will be more effective than repeating the words many times within a book.

Detailed description

Specific Language Impairment (SLI) affects approximately 7.4% of Kindergarten children. Children with SLI are known to have difficulty learning new words, which places them at greater risk for future reading impairments and academic failure. Surprisingly, there are few interventions for word learning by children with SLI that have undergone rigorous efficacy and/or effectiveness testing. The goal of this research is to optimize an interactive book reading intervention that has proven to be successful in teaching vocabulary to other groups of Kindergarten children. A secondary goal was to examine whether pre-treatment characteristics predicted how many words children would learn. This study further tests the adequate intensity of 36 exposures. Each child will receive two treatments at the identified adequate intensity. Children were randomized to two treatments: the standard treatment and 1 of 2 alternative treatments. The standard treatment used in prior research was balanced between the amount of times the new word is heard within the book (dose 6) and the amount of times the book is read (dose frequency 6). The alternative treatments were more heavily weighted for either repetitions within the book (high dose/low dose frequency, i.e., dose 9 x dose frequency 4) or the amount of times the book is read (low dose/high dose frequency, i.e., dose 4 x dose frequency 9). Ultimately, this study determines how best to achieve the adequate intensity of 36 exposures. A secondary goal was to further examine the pre-treatment factors associated with the number of words learned by children with SLI during interactive book reading. We once again explore a variety of potential predictors including those that were significant in a prior study (i.e., phonological awareness, nonword repetition, and semantics) as well as those that were not significant in a prior study but that had the potential to be related to a child's ability to learn during interactive book reading. That is, a child's general language abilities (as measured by the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-4, CELF-4, Core Language score) and their ability to understand verbally presented stories (as measured by the CELF-4 Understanding Spoken Paragraphs score) could impact their success in encoding new words during interactive book reading.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALTreatment (interactive book reading, dialogic reading, shared book reading)

Children receive 2 rounds of treatment with interactive book reading. Each treatment teaches 30 words that the children do not know. Treatments vary in dose (the number of times the words is heard/taught in an individual book reading session: 4 vs. 6 vs. 9) and dose frequency (the number of times book reading sessions are repeated: 4 vs. 6. vs. 9). Across all dose x dose frequency combinations, children hear/are taught the 30 words 36 times, which has been shown to be the adequate overall intensity of the intervention.

Sponsors

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
CollaboratorNIH
University of Kansas
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Research assistants that collect and score the pre/post outcomes are blind to arm assignment.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
5 Years to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Eligible for Kindergarten enrollment * Age 5 to 6 years * Normal hearing * Nonverbal Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of 85 or higher on the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scale * Score below 82 on the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals * Score at or below the 10% percentile on one of the approved standardized vocabulary assessments.

Exclusion criteria

* Speaks more than one language * Health history indicating neurologic or other disorder that would exclude a diagnosis of SLI (e.g., autism, developmental disability, seizure disorder)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentPre- and Post-treatment with treatment lasting 10 to 23 sessions (approximately 5 to 12 weeks)In each of the two treatments, children are taught 30 new words and tested on their ability to provide a definition of each word. Definitions are scored as 0 points for an incorrect or absent definition, 1 point for an appropriate use of the word in a sentence or for a vague definition, 2 points for a conventional definition containing at least one critical element but lacking other critical elements, and 3 points for a complete and accurate definition including all critical elements. For the analyses, children's definitions scored as 2 or 3 (i.e., a partially or completely accurate definition) were counted as correct (i.e., the child knows the word) and definitions scored as 0 or 1 (i.e., incorrect definition, absent definition, correct use of a word in a sentence, or vague definition) were counted as incorrect (i.e., the child does not know the word). Thus, children's scores could range from 0 to 30 words known, with higher scores indicating better outcomes.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Interim DefinitionTreatment lasted 5-12 weeks. Data was taken during this time.Learning also was tracked during treatment. The research assistant who provided the treatment prompted children to provide definitions at four points during each treatment. Depending on the arm, the four test points corresponded to 6-9 exposures, 18-20 exposures, 27-30 exposures, and 36 exposures.The words were assessed in a fixed order while the child viewed the pre-reading pictures for each word. The research assistant asked, What does \[word\] mean?. Specific feedback was not provided but the correct definition always was provided after the child's response regardless of the accuracy of the response. Scoring was the same as that described for definitions administered pre/post. Scores could range from 0-30 words correctly defined.
Interim NamingAdministered during treatment, which lasted 5-12 weeksLearning also was tracked during treatment. The research assistant who provided the treatment prompted children to name the target words at four points during each treatment. Depending on the arm, the four test points corresponded to 6-9 exposures, 18-20 exposures, 27-30 exposures, and 36 exposures. The research assistant showed the child the post-book reading picture without the orthographic label and asked a question meant to elicit the phonological form of the target word (e.g., What is the lightning doing? to elicit flashing). Specific feedback was not provided but the correct orthographic label and context sentence always were provided after the child's response regardless of the accuracy of the response. Responses were scored as correct (i.e., matched the target word) or incorrect (i.e., did not match the target word). Total score could range from 0 to 30 words correctly named in each treatment.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose
Treatment 1= dose 6 x dose frequency 6 Treatment 2 = dose 9 x dose frequency 4
8
Alternative: High Dose Then Standard
Treatment 1= dose 9 x dose frequency 4 Treatment 2 = dose 6 x dose frequency 6
9
Alternative: High Dose Frequency Then Standard
Treatment 1= dose 4 x dose frequency 49 Treatment 2 = dose 6 x dose frequency 6
9
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose Frequency
Treatment 1= dose 6 x dose frequency 6 Treatment 2 = dose 4 x dose frequency 9
8
Total34

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002FG003
Overall StudyProtocol Violation0010

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicStandard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyTotalStandard Then Alternative: High DoseAlternative: High Dose Then StandardAlternative: High Dose Frequency Then Standard
Age, Continuous64 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4
66 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5
65 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3
68 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4
68 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
8 Participants30 Participants6 Participants7 Participants9 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants3 Participants2 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants3 Participants2 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants2 Participants0 Participants2 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
8 Participants29 Participants6 Participants7 Participants8 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
8 participants34 participants8 participants9 participants9 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants13 Participants4 Participants4 Participants4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
7 Participants21 Participants4 Participants5 Participants5 Participants
Target Vocabulary Probe
Treatment 1: Pre
0.38 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.52
0.59 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.74
0.63 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.92
0.78 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.67
0.56 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.88
Target Vocabulary Probe
Treatment 2: Pre
0.38 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.52
0.76 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.05
0.63 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.74
0.56 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.73
1.44 Number correct
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.59

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 80 / 80 / 80 / 8
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 80 / 90 / 90 / 9
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 80 / 90 / 90 / 8

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatment

In each of the two treatments, children are taught 30 new words and tested on their ability to provide a definition of each word. Definitions are scored as 0 points for an incorrect or absent definition, 1 point for an appropriate use of the word in a sentence or for a vague definition, 2 points for a conventional definition containing at least one critical element but lacking other critical elements, and 3 points for a complete and accurate definition including all critical elements. For the analyses, children's definitions scored as 2 or 3 (i.e., a partially or completely accurate definition) were counted as correct (i.e., the child knows the word) and definitions scored as 0 or 1 (i.e., incorrect definition, absent definition, correct use of a word in a sentence, or vague definition) were counted as incorrect (i.e., the child does not know the word). Thus, children's scores could range from 0 to 30 words known, with higher scores indicating better outcomes.

Time frame: Pre- and Post-treatment with treatment lasting 10 to 23 sessions (approximately 5 to 12 weeks)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 1: Pre0.63 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.32
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 1: Post6.88 Number of words learnedStandard Error 1.82
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 2: Pre0.63 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.26
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 2: Post4.13 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.52
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 1: Post2.44 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.77
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 2: Pre0.56 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.24
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 2: Post3.67 Number of words learnedStandard Error 1.05
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 1: Pre0.78 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.22
High Dose Frequency Then StandardChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 2: Pre1.44 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.53
High Dose Frequency Then StandardChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 1: Post3.67 Number of words learnedStandard Error 1.39
High Dose Frequency Then StandardChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 2: Post5.89 Number of words learnedStandard Error 2.14
High Dose Frequency Then StandardChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 1: Pre0.56 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.29
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 2: Post4.75 Number of words learnedStandard Error 1.22
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 1: Post2.75 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.7
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 1: Pre0.38 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.25
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyChange in Words Known From Pre- to Post-treatmentTreatment 2: Pre0.38 Number of words learnedStandard Error 0.18
p-value: <0.05Mixed Models Analysis
p-value: <0.05Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Interim Definition

Learning also was tracked during treatment. The research assistant who provided the treatment prompted children to provide definitions at four points during each treatment. Depending on the arm, the four test points corresponded to 6-9 exposures, 18-20 exposures, 27-30 exposures, and 36 exposures.The words were assessed in a fixed order while the child viewed the pre-reading pictures for each word. The research assistant asked, What does \[word\] mean?. Specific feedback was not provided but the correct definition always was provided after the child's response regardless of the accuracy of the response. Scoring was the same as that described for definitions administered pre/post. Scores could range from 0-30 words correctly defined.

Time frame: Treatment lasted 5-12 weeks. Data was taken during this time.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 26.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.43
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 410.13 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.57
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 13.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.73
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 39.25 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.1
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 49.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.04
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 39.13 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.46
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 14.25 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.88
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 212.13 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.44
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 29.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.55
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 311.22 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.37
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 49.78 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.91
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 28.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.55
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 39.89 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.49
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 15.11 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.05
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 410.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.42
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 16.44 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.82
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 39.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.04
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 412.78 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.49
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 410.67 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.99
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 28.22 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.75
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 14.56 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.03
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 310.33 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.26
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 16.33 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.52
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 29.67 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.04
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 49.50 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.88
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 36.38 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.82
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 15.38 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.65
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 28.13 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.66
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 310.13 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.87
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 14.75 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.16
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim DefinitionTreatment 2: Test 26.25 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.59
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim DefinitionTreatment 1: Test 410.13 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.32
Comparison: The interim definition data were analyzed with the primary pre-/post-definition data to capture growth across the entire treatment period.p-value: <0.05Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Interim Naming

Learning also was tracked during treatment. The research assistant who provided the treatment prompted children to name the target words at four points during each treatment. Depending on the arm, the four test points corresponded to 6-9 exposures, 18-20 exposures, 27-30 exposures, and 36 exposures. The research assistant showed the child the post-book reading picture without the orthographic label and asked a question meant to elicit the phonological form of the target word (e.g., What is the lightning doing? to elicit flashing). Specific feedback was not provided but the correct orthographic label and context sentence always were provided after the child's response regardless of the accuracy of the response. Responses were scored as correct (i.e., matched the target word) or incorrect (i.e., did not match the target word). Total score could range from 0 to 30 words correctly named in each treatment.

Time frame: Administered during treatment, which lasted 5-12 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 10.63 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.26
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 23.88 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.51
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 35.63 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.89
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 45.50 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.12
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 10.38 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.38
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 22.25 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.7
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 34.50 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.78
Standard Then Alternative: High DoseInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 47.38 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.65
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 22.67 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.12
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 10.67 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.24
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 21.44 Number of words correctStandard Error 1
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 47.33 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.4
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 34.67 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.52
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 43.67 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.51
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 32.89 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.35
Alternative: High Dose Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 10.78 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.46
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 35.67 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.99
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 36.44 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.66
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 46.56 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.74
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 10.44 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.24
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 23.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.38
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 47.44 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.59
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 10.44 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.18
High Dose Frequency Then StandardInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 24.67 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.33
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 36.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.5
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 48.00 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.32
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 22.88 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.06
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim NamingTreatment 1: Test 10.38 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.26
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 11.50 Number of words correctStandard Error 0.42
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 410.88 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.8
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 37.75 Number of words correctStandard Error 2.23
Standard Then Alternative: High Dose FrequencyInterim NamingTreatment 2: Test 25.75 Number of words correctStandard Error 1.82

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026